U.S. patent number 10,893,776 [Application Number 15/693,382] was granted by the patent office on 2021-01-19 for cooking plate with temperature sensing element.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Desora Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Palate Home Inc.. Invention is credited to Paolo Baruzzi, Eric Norman, John Hsudan Yu.
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United States Patent |
10,893,776 |
Norman , et al. |
January 19, 2021 |
Cooking plate with temperature sensing element
Abstract
A cooking plate includes a metal plate for cooking; a heating
element, which is in contact with the metal plate and is configured
to heat the metal plate; and a temperature sensing element which is
integrated with the metal plate and which is configured to sense a
temperature of the metal plate and outputs a sensing signal for
control heating of the heating element.
Inventors: |
Norman; Eric (Walnut, CA),
Baruzzi; Paolo (Fremont, CA), Yu; John Hsudan (Fremont,
CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Palate Home Inc. |
Walnut |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Desora Inc. (Cambridge,
MA)
|
Appl.
No.: |
15/693,382 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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62383559 |
Sep 5, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J
37/0611 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47J
37/06 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;99/331-333,342-344,339,340,349-351,352-355,372-382,400,401,444-450,422-425
;126/20,369,41R
;219/521,524,538,401,586,446.1,448.11,450.1,451.1,447.1
;426/523 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ross; Dana
Assistant Examiner: Dang; Ket D
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Aka Chan LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. patent
application 62/383,559, filed Sep. 5, 2016, which is incorporated
by reference along with all other references cited in this
application.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An apparatus comprising: a first metal plate comprising a first
surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is opposite
to the second surface, and the first surface comprises a cooking
surface upon which food to be cooked will be in contact with; a
first channel, formed in the first metal plate between the first
and second surfaces, wherein the first channel comprises a first
opening and a second opening; a first portion of a second channel,
formed in the first metal plate between the first and second
surfaces, wherein the first portion of the second channel comprises
a first portion of a third opening and a first portion of a fourth
opening; a heating element, in the first channel, wherein the
heating element comprises a first end comprising a first plug
extending from the first opening and a second end comprising a
second plug extending from the second opening, and the first and
second plugs are positioned to be accessed from a first side edge
of the first metal plate; a temperature sensing element, in the
first portion the second channel, wherein temperature sensing
element comprises a third end comprising a third plug extending
from the third opening and a fourth end comprising a fourth plug
extending from the fourth opening, the third and fourth plugs are
positioned to be accessed from the first side edge of the first
metal plate, and the third and fourth plugs are positioned between
the first and second plugs; and a second metal plate, coupled to
the second surface of the first metal plate, wherein the second
metal plate comprises a second portion of the second channel, which
mates with the first portion of the second channel to form a
complete second channel, and the metal plate couples the
temperature sensing element to the first metal plate.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first axis of the first
channel is parallel to a second axis of the second channel.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heating element comprises:
a first member, coupled to the first plug, wherein the first member
extends in a first direction; a second member, coupled to the first
member, wherein the second member comprises a first bend; a third
member, coupled to the second member, wherein the third member
extends in a second direction, opposite of the first direction; a
fourth member, coupled to the third member, wherein the fourth
member comprises a second bend; a fifth member, coupled to the
fourth member, wherein the fifth member extends in the first
direction; a sixth member, coupled to the fifth member, wherein the
sixth member comprises a third bend; a seventh member, coupled to
the sixth member, wherein the seventh member extends in the second
direction; an eighth member, coupled to the seventh member, wherein
the eighth member comprises a fourth bend; a ninth member, coupled
to the eighth member, wherein the ninth member extends in the first
direction; a tenth member, coupled to the ninth member, wherein the
tenth member comprises a fifth bend; and an eleventh member,
coupled to the tenth member, wherein the eleventh member extends in
the second direction, and the eleventh member is also coupled to
the second plug.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first, second, third,
fourth, and fifth bends comprise 180 degree turns.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensing element
comprises: a first member, coupled to the third plug, wherein the
first member extends in a first direction; a second member, coupled
to the first member, wherein the second member comprises a first
bend; and a third member, coupled to the second member, wherein the
third member extends in a second direction, opposite of the first
direction, and the third member is also coupled to the fourth
plug.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the second member comprises a
temperature sensor of the temperature sensing element.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein between the first member and
the second member, a first air gap is formed in the second surface
of the first metal plate that separates the temperature sensing
element from the second surface, and the first air gap exposes a
first portion of the temperature sensing element from being
enclosed by the second channel.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein between the second member and
the third member, a second air gap is formed in the second surface
of the first metal plate that separates the temperature sensing
element from the second surface, and the second air gap exposes a
second portion of the temperature sensing element from being
enclosed by the second channel.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensing element
comprises a filler material comprising magnesium oxide.
10. A device comprises an apparatus of claim 1 that is used as an
upper cooking plate and a lower cooking plate, wherein the upper
cooking plate is in contact with the food to be cooked on a first
side and the lower cooking plate is in contact with the food to be
cooked on a second side, opposite of the first side, and the upper
cooking surface is heated by a first heating element of the upper
cooking plate, and the lower cooking surface is heated by a second
heating element of the lower cooking plate.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heating element is bent
into at least five U-shape bends.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a spacing material which has
less thermal conductivity than that of the first metal plate is
inserted between the temperature sensing element and the heating
element.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the spacing material is
air.
14. A cooking appliance comprising the apparatus cooking plate
according to claim 1.
15. The cooking appliance of claim 14 wherein the cooking appliance
is a portable appliance.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of cooking appliance, and in
particular, to a cooking plate, a temperature sensing element for a
cooking plate, a manufacturing method of a temperature sensing
element for a cooking plate, a cooking appliance and a
manufacturing method of a cooking plate.
Generally, cooking appliances are used to cook food. There are many
kinds of such cooking appliances. According to different cooking
requirements and different foods, different cooking appliances are
designed and manufactured.
Cooking food such as steak, bacon, egg, and others on a hot plate
will produce a special flavor. A lot of people like such a taste.
However, it is not an easy cooking method. In most situations, a
normal person cannot cook a food like that cooked by a chef in a
restaurant. One reason is the skills and experiences of the chef.
The chef can determine the status or temperature of the food based
on the appearance and knows how to control the heating. A normal
person lacks such skills and experiences to precisely control the
cooking temperature.
A heating device such as an oven and an induction cooker does not
contact food directly. So, it is not necessary for such device to
obtain a precise value of temperature. For example, an oven
generally just detects the air temperature inside it, and an
induction cooker detects the temperature of the bottom of a food
container.
In most cases, a household cooking appliance uses a temperature
sensor to roughly detect the temperature. This may be sufficient
for cooking sandwich. But, it may not be enough for cooking other
food such as steak, bacon, egg, mince ball, and others and may be
the reason that a person cannot cook food as that in restaurant
because of an inaccurate control of temperature.
On the other hand, a person may use a probe of temperature sensor
and penetrate the food with it to detect the temperature. This is
not convenient and is not intelligent.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,237,826 (U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/393,831) describes a sandwich press and grill apparatus, which
is incorporated by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,344 describes a
temperature measurement and display of a cooking surface, which is
incorporated by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,115 discloses a
temperature sensor for a cooking device, which is incorporated by
reference. A reference to a patent document or other matter in this
application which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an
admission or a suggestion that the information it contains was
relevant to the subject matters of the claims or was part of the
common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the
claims.
Most professional cooking appliances such as those used in a
restaurant are of big volume and are not suitable for house use.
Therefore, people have to compromise on the food and the
installation of such appliances by buying food from restaurants. On
one hand, this may be expensive. On the other hand, people will
lose the pleasure of cooking food with family at home.
Therefore, an improved cooking plate is needed, especially a
cooking plate that can provide an accurate temperature sensing of
the food being cooked using the plate.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A cooking plate includes a metal plate for cooking; a heating
element, which is in contact with the metal plate and is configured
to heat the metal plate; and a temperature sensing element which is
integrated with the metal plate and which is configured to sense a
temperature of the metal plate and outputs a sensing signal for
control heating of the heating element.
According to a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a
cooking plate, including: a metal plate for cooking; a heating
element, which is in contact with the metal plate and is configured
to heat the metal plate; and a temperature sensing element which is
integrated with the metal plate and which is configured to sense a
temperature of the metal plate and outputs a sensing signal for
control heating of the heating element.
In an embodiment, the heating element includes a resistive wire. In
an embodiment, the resistive wire is encapsulated in a first tube,
and a first filler material which is thermally conductive and
electrically insulating is filled between the resistive wire and
the sheath of the first tube. In an embodiment, the first filler
material is magnesium oxide (MgO) or magnesia. In an embodiment,
the resistive wire is connected with a rod at each of its ends and
the rods reach out of the first tube for power coupling.
In an embodiment, the heating element is bent into at least five
U-shape bends. In an embodiment, the heating element is integrated
with the metal plate. In an embodiment, the heating element is
embedded in the metal plate by mold casting. In an embodiment, a
spacing material which has a less thermal conductivity than that of
the metal plate is inserted between the temperature sensing element
and the heating element. In an embodiment, the spacing material is
air.
In an embodiment, the temperature sensing element includes a
temperature sensor, and the effective distance between the cooking
surface of the metal plate and the heating element is equal to that
between the temperature sensor and the heating element. In an
embodiment, the temperature sensing element is integrated in a
cavity at a back side of the metal plate and is affixed on the
metal plate by a pressure plate.
In an embodiment, the temperature sensing element includes a
temperature sensor and a sheath, the temperature sensor is
encapsulated in the sheath to form a second tube, and a second
filler material which is thermally conductive and electrically
insulating is filled between the temperature sensor and the sheath
of the second tube. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor is
connected with a rod at each of its ends via a wire and the rods
reach out of the second tube for power coupling.
In an embodiment, the temperature sensing element includes a
resistance temperature detector (RTD) temperature sensor. In an
embodiment, a front surface of the metal plate is used to be in
direct contact with food. In an embodiment, a front surface of the
metal plate is applied with nonstick coating. In an embodiment, the
cooking plate is to be used in a portable cooking appliance.
According to a second aspect of this invention, there is provided a
temperature sensing element for a cooking plate, including: a
temperature sensor; a sheath; and filler material which is
thermally conductive and electrically insulating, where the
temperature sensor is connected with a rod at each of its ends via
a wire, the sheath encapsulates the temperature sensor, the wires
and parts of the rods with the filler material therebetween to from
a tube, the rods reach out of the tube for power coupling.
In an embodiment, the temperature sensing element is configured to
sense a temperature of the metal plate and outputs a sensing signal
for control the heating of the heating element. In an embodiment,
the temperature sensing element has a shape consistent with a
cavity in the cooking plate. In an embodiment, the temperature
sensor is an RTD temperature sensor.
According to a third aspect of this invention, there is provided a
manufacturing method of a temperature sensing element for a cooking
plate, including: connecting one terminal of a temperature sensor
to one end of a first wire; connecting the other terminal of the
temperature sensor to one end of a second wire; connecting the
other end of the first wire to a first rod; connecting the other
end of the second wire to a second rod; placing the connected
sensor, wires and rods inside a tube; filling a filler material
which is thermally conductive and electrically insulating into the
tube; and sealing the tube.
In an embodiment, the first and second rods are threaded rods, and
the manufacturing method further includes: screwing caps on the
first and second rods. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor is
an RTD-type sensor. In an embodiment, sealing the tube including:
adding plugs at the ends of the tube. In an embodiment, one and the
other terminals of the temperature sensor are connected to one end
of the first wire and one end of the second wire, respectively, by
welding.
In an embodiment, the other end of the first wire is connected to
the first rod by welding, and the other end of the second wire is
connected to the second rod by welding. In an embodiment, filling a
filler material including: using vibration to compact the filler
material. In an embodiment, the filler material includes magnesium
oxide.
According to a fourth aspect of this invention, there is provided
cooking appliance, including the cooking plate according to the
present invention. In an embodiment, the cooking appliance is a
portable appliance.
According to a fifth aspect of this invention, there is provided
manufacturing method of a cooking plate, including: making a
heating element; making a temperature sensing element; making a
metal plate for cooking, where the heating element is integrated
with the metal plate by casting; and assembling the metal plate and
the temperature sensing element, where the temperature sensing
element is integrated with the metal plate.
In an embodiment, making a heating element includes: connecting one
end of a resistive wire to a first rod; connecting the other end of
the resistive wire to a second rod; preparing a heating tube, in
which a first filler material which is thermally conductive and
electrically insulating is filled and which has a hollow cavity;
threading the resistive wire through the hollow cavity; rolling the
heating tube through a roller to shrink the diameter of the heating
tube; and bending the heating tube, where the first and second rods
reach out of the heating tube. In an embodiment, the heating tube
is bent into at least five U-shape bends.
In an embodiment, making a temperature sensing element including:
connecting one terminal of a temperature sensor to one end of a
first wire; connecting the other terminal of a temperature sensor
to one end of a second wire; connecting the other end of the first
wire to a first sensing rod; connecting the other end of the second
wire to a second sensing rod; placing the connected sensor, wires
and sensing rods inside a sensing tube; filling a filler material
which is thermally conductive and electrically insulating into the
sensing tube; and sealing the sensing tube.
In an embodiment, making a metal plate for cooking including:
placing the heating element in a cooking plate die casting mold at
a designed position; performing a die casting process with the
cooking plate die casting mold to form a metal plate with the
integrated heating element.
In an embodiment, assembling the metal plate and the temperature
sensing element includes: placing the temperature sensing element
in a cavity at a back side of the metal plate; and affixing the
temperature sensing element on the metal plate by a pressure
plate.
According to an embodiment of this invention, the cooking plate can
provide an accurate temperature sensing.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description and the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
designations represent like features throughout the figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a back side of a cooking plate
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-section view taken from the dash
line A-A' of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-section view taken from the dash
line B-B' of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a heating element according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the heating element shown in FIG.
4.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the cross section indicated by circle
C in FIG. 5
FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a temperature sensing element
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows an illustrative flow chart of a manufacturing method
of a temperature sensing element for a cooking plate according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows a manufacturing method of a cooking plate according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a cooking appliance according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 11-12 shows various views of a back side of a cooking
plate.
FIG. 13 shows of a cooking device including two cooking plates, an
upper cooking plate and a lower cooking plate.
FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of a cross-sectional view of a first
metal plate and second metal plate of a cooking device.
FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of an assembly of a cooking device or
cooking appliance and a cooking plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be
noted that the relative arrangement of the components and steps,
the numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these
embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention unless
it is specifically stated otherwise.
The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is
merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit
the invention, its application, or uses. Techniques, methods and
apparatus as known by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art may
not be discussed in detail but are intended to be part of the
specification where appropriate.
In all of the examples illustrated and discussed herein, any
specific values should be interpreted to be illustrative only and
nonlimiting. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments
could have different values.
Notice that similar reference numerals and letters refer to similar
items in the following figures, and thus once an item is defined in
one figure, it is possible that it need not be further discussed
for following figures.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a back side of a cooking plate
according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a
schematic cross-section view taken from the dash line A-A' of FIG.
1. FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-section view taken from the dash
line B-B' of FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cooking plate includes a metal plate 101, a
heating element 102 and a temperature sensing element 103.
Here, the metal plate 101 is used for cooking. For example, the
front surface of the metal plate is used to be in direct contact
with food. After the cooking plate is assembled into a cooking
appliance, food such as steak, bacon, egg, and others can be put on
the front surface of the metal plate for cooking. In an example,
the front surface of the metal plate is applied with nonstick
coating so that it is easy to wash.
In FIG. 1, the heating element 102 is in contact with the metal
plate and is configured to heat the metal plate. It can be
understood by a person in the art that the heating element can be
any mechanism which can heat the metal plate 101 or make the metal
plate to produce heat for cooking food.
The temperature sensing element 103 is integrated with the metal
plate. For example, the temperature sensing element 103 include an
RTD-type sensor, such as a PT1000 RTD-type sensor. It will be
understood by a person skilled in the art, other temperature sensor
is also possible, such as a thermocouple, infrared (IR) temperature
sensor, and others.
In this embodiment, the temperature sensing element 103 is built in
or integrated with the metal plate 101. A person skilled in the art
can conceive of a lot of approaches to integrate the sensing
element. For example, in FIG. 1, the temperature sensing element
103 is integrated in a cavity at the back side of the metal plate
101 and is affixed on the metal plate by a pressure plate 104.
Alternatively or in addition, the temperature sensing element 103
can be embedded in the metal plate 101 by die casting.
The temperature sensing element 103 senses a temperature of the
metal plate 101 and outputs a sensing signal for control heating of
the heating element 102.
In this embodiment, since the temperature sensing element 103 is
integrated with the metal plate 101, the contact between these two
element is sufficient. For example, compared with the solution in
which the temperature sensing element and the cooking plate are
separate components, less gaps will be formed between them. This
will make temperature sensing element 103 produce a more precise
temperature sensing signal.
Furthermore, the relative position of the temperature sensing
element 103 and the metal plate 101 is fixed in this embodiment.
The sensing result will be relatively stable, compared with a
solution of separate components. So, a control system will be
simplified to some degree to obtain an accurate temperature
control. By this approach, it is easier to determine the
temperature on the cooking surface (i.e. the front surface of the
metal plate).
For example, the heating element 102 is also integrated with the
metal plate. As an example, the heating element 102 can be embedded
in the metal plate 101 by mold casting as shown in FIG. 1 or can be
affixed on the metal plate 101 by a pressure plate. In this
configuration, the thermal conduction pathways among the metal
plate 101, the heating element 102 and the temperature sensing
element 103 are constant. So, the sensing result of the temperature
sensing element 103 will be accurate, and the cooking temperature
control will be precise.
In FIG. 1, the heating element 102 includes plugs 105, 106 for
power coupling. The plugs can be supported on insulating standoffs
109 to enhance the stability of the connection pieces and to secure
the isolation of the electricity and the metal plate.
The plugs 107 and 108 of the temperature sensing element are used
to transmit sensing signals to a control system. The latching
mechanism 110 can latch the cooking plate on a cooking
appliance.
In FIG. 2, the temperature sensing element 103 is affixed on the
metal plate 101 by the pressure plate 104. The pressure plate 104
is affixed on the metal plate 101 by screws 111 and 112.
As shown in FIG. 3, a spacing material is inserted between the
temperature sensing element 103 and the heating element 102. The
spacing material has a less thermal conductivity than that of the
metal plate. For example, the spacing material can be air gap (the
air gap 117 shown in FIG. 3) or other material. A person skilled in
the art shall understand that the temperature sensing element 103
and the heating element 102 can connect in other parts, and the
spacing material is placed in therebetween. By the spacing
material, the thermal conduction pathway between the heating
element 102 and the temperature sensing element 103 can be
adjusted.
The temperature sensing element 103 includes a temperature sensor.
Also as shown in FIG. 3, there are multiple thermal conductive
pathways 113, 114, 115, and 116 between the cooking surface of the
metal plate 101 and the heating element 102 and between the
temperature sensor and the heating element 101, respectively. The
effective distances between the cooking surface of the metal plate
101 and the heating element 102 is equal to the effective distances
between the temperature sensor and the heating element 101. It
shall be understood by a person skilled in the art how to determine
the effective distance. For example, the effective distance can be
determined by measuring the thermal conductivities. More
specifically, with respect to the heating element 101, the position
in the metal plate which has a thermal conductivity similar to the
cooking surface can be deemed to have an effective distance similar
to the cooking surface. An average position of multiple
measurements for multiple points on the cooking surface can be used
to determine the position of the temperature sensor.
In this embodiment, the cooking plate is suitable for household
use, especially for using in a portable cooking appliance. Because
of the structure and/or components of the cooking plate, it allows
for accurate temperature sensing. A normal user can cook in modern
methods such as precision cooking, sous vide style cooking, target
temperature cooking and so on at home. Every user can make high
quality food. A cooking appliance incorporating such a cooking
plate can be used to do a high temperature electric grill, a
precise lower temperature sous vide and even a well controlled
saute pan like a skilled chef.
Because of the relatively stable temperature sensing, the control
systems (electronics and software) of a cooking appliance with the
cooking plate of this embodiment will be less sophisticated than
that of the prior art.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a heating element according to
an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a bottom view
of the heating element shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view
of the cross section indicated by circle C in FIG. 5.
In FIGS. 4-6, the heating element is assembled into a tube and
includes a resistive wire 201, a sheath 202, a filler material 203,
and rods 204.
The resistive wire 201 is encapsulated in the tube. The filler
material 203 is thermally conductive and electrically insulating
and is filled between the resistive wire 201 and the sheath 202 of
the first tube. For example, the first material is magnesium
oxide.
The resistive wire 201 is connected with a rod 204 at each of its
ends. The rods 204 reach out of the tube for power coupling. They
can be used as the plugs 105 and 106 as shown in FIG. 1.
It can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the heating element 102 is bent
into at least five U-shape bends. By this arrangement, the heating
element 102 will produce a relatively even heating at the cooking
surface of the metal plate.
FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a temperature sensing element
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The temperature sensing element is used for a cooking plate. It has
a temperature sensor 301, a sheath 312, and filler material 313. In
this embodiment, the temperature sensing element is assembled into
a tube.
As shown in FIG. 7, the temperature sensor 301 is connected with a
rod 304 and 305 at each of its ends via a wire 302 and 303. The
sheath 312 encapsulates the temperature sensor 301, the wires 302
and 303 and parts of the rods 304 and 305 with the filler material
313 therebetween to from a tube. The rods 304 and 305 reach out of
the tube for power coupling.
The wires 302 and 303 can be welded to the rods 304 and 305 at the
points 306 and 307, respectively. The rods 304 and 305 can threaded
rods. Caps 308 and 309 can be screwed on the ends of the rods 304
and 305 out of the tube. Sealing material or plugs 310 and 311 can
be applied at the ends of the tube to seal the filler material 313
and fix the components in the tube.
For example, the temperature sensor is an RTD temperature sensor,
for example, a PT1000 RTD-type sensor by Thermometrics
Corporation.
The temperature sensing element shown in FIG. 7 is suitable for use
in a cooking appliance. It can sense the temperature of a metal
plate of such an appliance and outputs a sensing signal for control
the heating of a heating element. The temperature sensing element
can have a shape consistent with a cavity in a cooking plate, so
that it can be integrated in it.
FIG. 8 shows an illustrative flow chart of a manufacturing method
of a temperature sensing element for a cooking plate according to
an embodiment of the present invention. The temperature sensing
element is suitable for use in a cooking plate.
As shown in FIG. 8, at step 1100, one terminal of a temperature
sensor is connected to one end of a first wire. The first wire
could be uninsulated and be cut into length in advance. For
example, the temperature sensor is welded to the first wire.
At step 1200, the other terminal of the temperature sensor is
connected to one end of a second wire. The second wire could be
uninsulated and be cut into length in advance. For example, the
temperature sensor is welded to the second wire.
At step 1300, the other end of the first wire is connected to a
first rod. For example, the first wire is welded to the first
rod.
At step 1400, the other end of the second wire is connected to a
second rod. For example, the first wire is welded to the first
rod.
At step 1500, the connected sensor, wires and rods is placed inside
a tube. The tube has a sheath and can be cut into length in
advance.
At step 1600, a filler material which is thermally conductive and
electrically insulating is filled into the tube. For example, the
filler material includes magnesium oxide powder.
When the filler material is being filled, vibration can be used to
compact the filler material and try to minimize voids or air
therein.
At step 1700, the tube is sealed. For example, plugs can be added
at the ends of the tube.
Furthermore, the tube can be bent to match a cavity in a cooking
plate.
In an example, the first and second rods of the temperature sensing
element are threaded rods. Caps can be screwed on the first and
second rods for power coupling and protection of the rods.
The finished temperature sensing element can be that shown in FIG.
7, for example.
FIG. 9 shows a manufacturing method of a cooking plate according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
At step 2100, a heating element is made.
For example, first, a resistive wire is prepared and is cut to
length. One end of the resistive wire is connected to a first rod,
for example, by welding. The other end of the resistive wire is
connected to a second rod, for example, by welding.
Next, a heating tube is prepared. In the heating tube, a first
filler material which is thermally conductive and electrically
insulating is filled. The heating tube has a hollow cavity. The
heating tube is cut to length in advance.
The resistive wire is threaded through the hollow cavity of the
heating tube. The heating tube is rolled through a roller that
applies radial pressure to the heating tube and shrinks the
diameter of the heating tube. The first filler material should
compact and encase the resistive wire at the center of the heating
tube.
The heating tube is bent and the first and second rods reach out of
the heating tube. For example, the tube is bent into at least five
U-shape bends to obtain a better heating performance.
At step 2200, a temperature sensing element is made.
For example, the temperature sensing element is made can be made
according to the manufacturing method as shown in FIG. 8.
At step 2300, a metal plate for cooking is made. In an example, the
heating element is integrated with the metal plate by casting.
For example, the heating element is placed in a cooking plate die
casting mold at a designed position. The ends of the heating
element can be captured in mold inserts that protect the ends of
the heating element from coming in contact with the die cast metal
such as aluminum.
A die casting process is performed with the cooking plate die
casting mold to form a metal plate with the integrated heating
element.
Processes such as deburring, grinding, polishing, and sand blasting
can be performed on the metal plate in preparation for coating.
Then, nonstick coating can be applied on the front surface of the
metal plate for cooking use.
At step 2400, the metal plate and the temperature sensing element
are assembled so that the temperature sensing element is integrated
with the metal plate.
The heating element is integrated with the metal plate. End caps
can be assembled to ends of the heating element to protect the rods
of the heating elements. Also, high temperature silicone glue can
be applied around the ends of the heating element, and water
resistant plugs can be affixed over the ends of the heating tube.
Electrically insulating stand-offs can be placed under the ends of
the heating tube. The stand-offs can be affixed with screws where
necessary.
Electrical terminal caps can also be placed onto the ends of the
heating element. The electrical terminal caps are crimped to be
permanently affixed to the heating element threaded rod and prevent
loosening. Alternatively, high temperature thread locking glue can
be used as long as the electrical conductivity pathway is not
inhibited.
The temperature sensing element is placed in a cavity at a back
side of the metal plate. Stand-offs can be amounted to support the
temperature sensing element. The temperature sensing element is
affixed on the metal plate by using a pressure plate.
Then, a cook plate latch pieces are fastened onto the metal
plate.
FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a cooking appliance according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 10, the cooking appliance includes a cooking plate
401, a base 402 and a lid 403. The cooking plate 401 is the one
according to the embodiments of this invention and it is placed on
the base 402. The lid 403 will cover cooking plate 401 when
cooking. It would be understood by a person skilled in the art that
FIG. 10 is just illustrative and the present invention is not
limited to it. For example, an additional cooking plate according
to the embodiments of this invention can be amounted on the lid
403. By this way, the present invention can be used in an electric
countertop grill device.
The cooking appliance according to embodiments of the present
invention is portable, for example.
The embodiments of the present invention are summarized as
below.
EE1. A cooking plate, including: a metal plate for cooking; a
heating element, which is in contact with the metal plate and is
configured to heat the metal plate; and a temperature sensing
element which is integrated with the metal plate and which is
configured to sense a temperature of the metal plate and outputs a
sensing signal for control heating of the heating element.
EE2. The cooking plate according to EE1, where the heating element
includes a resistive wire.
EE3. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 and EE2, where the
resistive wire is encapsulated in a first tube, and a first filler
material which is thermally conductive and electrically insulating
is filled between the resistive wire and the sheath of the first
tube.
EE4. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE3, where the
first filler material is magnesium oxide.
EE5. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE4, where the
resistive wire is connected with a rod at each of its ends and the
rods reach out of the first tube for power coupling.
EE6. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE5, where the
heating element is bent into at least five U-shape bends.
EE7. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE6, where the
heating element is integrated with the metal plate.
EE8. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE7, where the
heating element is embedded in the metal plate by mold casting.
EE9. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE8, where a
spacing material which has a less thermal conductivity than that of
the metal plate is inserted between the temperature sensing element
and the heating element.
EE10. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE9, where the
spacing material is air.
EE11. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE10, where the
temperature sensing element includes a temperature sensor, and the
effective distance between the cooking surface of the metal plate
and the heating element is equal to that between the temperature
sensor and the heating element.
EE12. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE11, where the
temperature sensing element is integrated in a cavity at a back
side of the metal plate and is affixed on the metal plate by a
pressure plate.
EE13. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE12, where the
temperature sensing element includes a temperature sensor and a
sheath, the temperature sensor is encapsulated in the sheath to
form a second tube, and a second filler material which is thermally
conductive and electrically insulating is filled between the
temperature sensor and the sheath of the second tube.
EE14. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE13, where the
temperature sensor is connected with a rod at each of its ends via
a wire and the rods reach out of the second tube for power
coupling.
EE15. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE14, where the
temperature sensing element includes an RTD temperature sensor.
EE16. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE15, where a
front surface of the metal plate is used to be in direct contact
with food.
EE17. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE16, where a
front surface of the metal plate is applied with nonstick
coating.
EE18. The cooking plate according to any of EE1 to EE17, where the
cooking plate is to be used in a portable cooking appliance.
EE19. A temperature sensing element for a cooking plate, including:
a temperature sensor; a sheath; and filler material which is
thermally conductive and electrically insulating, where the
temperature sensor is connected with a rod at each of its ends via
a wire, the sheath encapsulates the temperature sensor, the wires
and parts of the rods with the filler material therebetween to from
a tube, the rods reach out of the tube for power coupling.
EE20. The temperature sensing element according to EE19, where the
temperature sensing element is configured to sense a temperature of
the metal plate and outputs a sensing signal for control the
heating of the heating element.
EE21. The temperature sensing element according to any of EE19 to
EE20, where the temperature sensing element has a shape consistent
with a cavity in the cooking plate.
EE22. The temperature sensing element according to any of EE19 to
EE21, where the temperature sensor is an RTD temperature
sensor.
EE23. A manufacturing method of a temperature sensing element for a
cooking plate, including: connecting one terminal of a temperature
sensor to one end of a first wire; connecting the other terminal of
the temperature sensor to one end of a second wire; connecting the
other end of the first wire to a first rod; connecting the other
end of the second wire to a second rod; placing the connected
sensor, wires and rods inside a tube; filling a filler material
which is thermally conductive and electrically insulating into the
tube; and sealing the tube.
EE24. The manufacturing method according to EE23, where the first
and second rods are threaded rods, and the manufacturing method
further includes: screwing caps on the first and second rods.
EE25. The manufacturing method according to any of EE23 to EE24,
where the temperature sensor is an RTD-type sensor.
EE26. The manufacturing method according to any of EE23 to EE25,
where sealing the tube including: adding plugs at the ends of the
tube.
EE27. The manufacturing method according to any of EE23 to EE26,
where one and the other terminals of the temperature sensor are
connected to one end of the first wire and one end of the second
wire, respectively, by welding.
EE28. The manufacturing method according to any of EE23 to EE27,
where the other end of the first wire is connected to the first rod
by welding, and the other end of the second wire is connected to
the second rod by welding.
EE29. The manufacturing method according to any of EE23 to EE28,
where filling a filler material including: using vibration to
compact the filler material.
EE30. The manufacturing method according to any of EE23 to EE29,
where the filler material includes magnesium oxide.
EE31. A cooking appliance, including the cooking plate according to
any of EE1 to EE18.
EE32. The cooking appliance according to EE31, where the cooking
appliance is a portable appliance.
EE33. A manufacturing method of a cooking plate, including: making
a heating element; making a temperature sensing element; making a
metal plate for cooking, where the heating element is integrated
with the metal plate by casting; assembling the metal plate and the
temperature sensing element, where the temperature sensing element
is integrated with the metal plate.
EE34. The manufacturing method according to EE33, where making a
heating element includes: connecting one end of a resistive wire to
a first rod; connecting the other end of the resisitive wire to a
second rod; preparing a heating tube, in which a first filler
material which is thermally conductive and electrically insulating
is filled and which has a hollow cavity; threading the resistive
wire through the hollow cavity; rolling the heating tube through a
roller to shrink the diameter of the heating tube; and bending the
heating tube, where the first and second rods reach out of the
heating tube.
EE35. The manufacturing method according to any of EE33 to EE34,
where the heating tube is bent into at least five U-shape
bends.
EE36. The manufacturing method according to any of EE33 to EE35,
where making a temperature sensing element including: connecting
one terminal of a temperature sensor to one end of a first wire;
connecting the other terminal of a temperature sensor to one end of
a second wire; connecting the other end of the first wire to a
first sensing rod; connecting the other end of the second wire to a
second sensing rod; placing the connected sensor, wires and sensing
rods inside a sensing tube; filling a filler material which is
thermally conductive and electrically insulating into the sensing
tube; and sealing the sensing tube.
EE37. The manufacturing method according to any of EE33 to EE36,
where making a metal plate for cooking including: placing the
heating element in a cooking plate die casting mold at a designed
position; performing a die casting process with the cooking plate
die casting mold to form a metal plate with the integrated heating
element.
EE38. The manufacturing method according to any of EE33 to EE37,
where assembling the metal plate and the temperature sensing
element includes: placing the temperature sensing element in a
cavity at a back side of the metal plate; and affixing the
temperature sensing element on the metal plate by a pressure
plate.
FIGS. 11-12 shows various view of a back side of a cooking plate.
FIG. 13 shows of a cooking device including two cooking plates, an
upper cooking plate and a lower cooking plate.
The cooking described can be used in a cooking device such as the
Cinder Grill product by Palate Home Inc. (Palate Home). With the
Cinder Grill, foods cook evenly and to the exact melt-in-your-mouth
temperature one would expect from an expensive Michelin-starred
meal. This grill uses next-gen thermal control and grill plate
materials. Say goodbye to sous vide using plastic bags. The Palate
Home Web site (www.cindergrill.com), publications (including white
papers, user's guides, tutorials, videos, and others), and other
publications about Palate Home technology and products (e.g.,
Cinder Grill) are incorporated by reference. Some aspects of the
Cinder Grill are described in U.S. patent applications 62/553,084,
filed Aug. 31, 2017, 62/019,616, filed Jul. 1, 2014, and
61/876,151, filed Sep. 10, 2013, and PCT application
PCT/US14/54661, filed Sep. 9, 2014, which are incorporated by
reference.
In an implementation, an apparatus includes a first metal plate
having a first surface and a second surface. The first metal plate
can be an upper or lower cooking plate, or both. The first surface
is opposite to the second surface. The first surface includes a
cooking surface upon which food to be cooked will be in contact
with.
There is a first channel formed in the first metal plate between
the first and second surfaces. The first channel has a first
opening and a second opening. There is a first portion of a second
channel formed in the first metal plate between the first and
second surfaces. The first portion of a second channel has a first
portion of a third opening and a first portion of a fourth
opening.
There is a heating element in the first channel. The heating
element has a first end with a first plug extending from the first
opening and a second end with a second plug extending from the
second opening. The first and second plugs are positioned to be
accessed from a first side edge of the first metal plate.
There is a temperature sensing element in the first portion the
second channel. The temperature sensing element includes a third
end with a third plug extending from the third opening and a fourth
end with a fourth plug extending from the fourth opening. The third
and fourth plugs are positioned to be accessed from the first side
edge of the first metal plate. The third and fourth plugs are
positioned between the first and second plugs.
There is a second metal plate connected to the second surface of
the metal plate. The metal plate includes a second portion of the
second channel, which mates with the first portion of the second
channel to form a complete second channel. The metal plate secures
the temperature sensing element to the first metal plate. The
second metal plate can be fastened using screws to the first metal
plate. A first axis of the first channel can be parallel to a
second axis of the second channel.
FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of a cross-sectional view of a first
metal plate 1405 and second metal plate 1408 of a cooking device.
The first metal plate has a first portion 1412 of a channel for a
temperature sensing element 1427. The second metal plate has a
second portion 1433 of the channel. The second metal plate is
placed together with the first metal plate so that first portion
1412 and second portion 1433 form a complete channel, which holds
the temperature sensing element.
The heating element can include: a first member, connected to the
first plug, where the first member extends in a first direction; a
second member, connected to the first member, where the second
member includes a first bend; a third member, connected to the
second member, where the third member extends in a second
direction, opposite of the first direction; a fourth member,
connected to the third member, where the fourth member includes a
second bend; a fifth member, connected to the fourth member, where
the fifth member extends in the first direction; a sixth member,
connected to the fifth member, where the sixth member includes a
third bend; a seventh member, connected to the sixth member, where
the seventh member extends in the second direction; an eighth
member, connected to the seventh member, where the eighth member
includes a fourth bend; a ninth member, connected to the eighth
member, where the ninth member extends in the first direction; a
tenth member, connected to the ninth member, where the tenth member
includes a fifth bend; and an eleventh member, connected to the
tenth member, where the eleventh member extends in the second
direction, and the eleventh member is also connected to the second
plug. The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth bends can be 180
degree turns.
The temperature sensing element can include: a first member,
connected to the third plug, where the first member extends in a
first direction; a second member, connected to the first member,
where the second member includes a first bend; and a third member,
connected to the second member, where the third member extends in a
second direction, opposite of the first direction, and the third
member is also connected to the fourth plug. The second member can
include or incorporate a temperature sensor. The temperature
sensing element can include a filler material having magnesium
oxide. In the second channel, a thermal grease can be used to
improve the thermal contact between the temperature sensing element
(and its temperature sensor) the second surface of the first metal
plate.
Between the first member and second member, a first air gap can be
formed in the second surface of the first metal plate that
separates the temperature sensing element from the second surface.
The first air gap exposes a first portion of the temperature
sensing element from being enclosed by the second channel.
Further between the second member and third member, a second air
gap can be formed in the second surface of the first metal plate
that separates the temperature sensing element from the second
surface. The second air gap exposes a second portion of the
temperature sensing element from being enclosed by the second
channel.
FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of an assembly of a cooking device
1502 or cooking appliance and a cooking plate 1506. For example,
the cooking plate can include first and second metal plates, a
heating element, and a temperature sensing element. In an
implementation, the cooking device is a sous vide cooking
appliance. In an implementation, the cooking device is an electric
grill. In an implementation, the cooking device is an electric
grill for sous vide cooking.
Further, the cooking device can include a cooking plate as
described that is used as an upper cooking plate and a lower
cooking plate. The upper cooking plate will be in contact with the
food to be cooked on a first side. The lower cooking plate will be
in contact with the food to be cooked on a second side, opposite of
the first side. The upper cooking surface will be heated by a first
heating element of the upper cooking plate. And the lower cooking
surface is heated by a second heating element of the lower cooking
plate. The upper cooking surface will be sensed by a first
temperature sensing element of the upper cooking plate. And the
lower cooking surface will be sensed by a second temperature
sensing element of the lower cooking plate.
The cooking plate with the heating element and temperature sensing
element of the cooking device are self-contained, so the plate can
be removed and cleaned separately from the cooking device. As shown
in FIGS. 11 and 12, there is a rubber grommet at each opening
(e.g., four total for one plate) where the elements have ends and
plugs that exit the opening. This rubber grommet prevents water
from getting into the channel, which can damage the heating and
temperature sensing elements. The plugs of the elements of the
plate are males ends that plug into receptacles of the cooking
device, thus supplying electricity to the elements.
In an implementation, the cooking surface of the metal plate is
relative flat or planar, not having raised regions (e.g., rails or
protrusions) or grooves. This flat surface allows more even
temperature distribution to the food being cooked, which is
important for sous vide cooking. In sous vide, the typical
temperature of the plate will be between 30 degrees Celsius to
about 100 degrees Celsius (or boiling temperature of water). A goal
is to cook the food evenly to a precise doneness temperature,
without overshooting this doneness temperature for any portion of
the food (which typical occurs in traditional cooling). The cooking
surface also has an edge wall that surrounds a perimeter of cooking
surface except for a opening, which allows moisture to escape. Also
in an implementation, the cooking surface is not sloped but
entirely level (e.g., transverse or about transverse to a direction
of gravity), so gravity does not cause a flow direction for liquids
in any particular direction.
This description of the invention has been presented for the
purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described,
and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the
teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order
to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical
applications. This description will enable others skilled in the
art to best utilize and practice the invention in various
embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to a
particular use. The scope of the invention is defined by the
following claims.
* * * * *